Hali for CCA 2025

Raising the Next Generation of Public Lands Stewards

When my family and I talk about what makes Grand Junction home, we always come back to the rivers. The Colorado and the Gunnison—the very confluence that gives our town its name—have shaped everything about this valley. They carved the canyons we explore, they sustain the communities we've built, and they offer our children something increasingly rare: wild, accessible places to grow up connected to the natural world.

What makes this even more extraordinary is that we live in one of the most unique conservation landscapes in the entire country. Of the 19 National Conservation Areas that exist nationwide, three of them are right here in our backyard—McInnis Canyons, Dominguez-Escalante, and Gunnison Gorge. These aren't just beautiful places. They're the crown jewels of public lands, protected forever for all of us.

Think about that for a moment. Out of 19 in the entire nation, we have three within an hour's drive.

This is why I'm raising funds for Colorado Canyons Association (CCA). Because having these incredible places means nothing if our kids don't learn to love them, understand them, and care for them.

Why This Matters Now

I grew up spending time outdoors, and those experiences shaped who I am. I want that for my children—and for all the kids growing up in this valley. CCA makes that possible. They take thousands of students each year out onto the rivers and into the canyons for hands-on learning. They teach kids that this isn't just scenery—it's their heritage, their responsibility, their home.

In a town that exists because of these rivers, in a valley that wouldn't be here without this water, shouldn't every child experience floating the Colorado? Shouldn't they understand the ecology of the canyons, learn to read the rocks, recognize native plants, see wildlife in their habitat?

CCA's work ensures that growing up in Grand Junction means growing up with reverence for the land and water that sustain us. That's not just education—it's passing down values that will protect these places for generations.

The Work That Makes a Difference

So far in 2025, CCA has:

• Connected 2,832 students to place-based education on our NCAs, including 306 kids on day-long or overnight river trips
• Mobilized 210+ volunteers who dedicated over 1,800 hours to restoration and stewardship
• Brought 500+ adults into deeper connection with our public lands through community events

Your donation supports:

• Getting more kids onto the rivers that define our town
• Restoring native habitats in our conservation areas
• Building a community that actively cares for our public lands
• Teaching Leave No Trace principles so these places stay wild and beautiful
• Creating the next generation of conservation leaders

Why I'm Asking for Your Support

With uncertainty around federal funding for public lands, community support has never been more critical. CCA depends on people like us—people who understand that these rivers and canyons aren't just nice to have, they're essential to who we are.

Whether you're local and love exploring the NCAs, or you're someone who believes every kid deserves to grow up connected to wild places, I hope you'll join me in supporting this work.

These landscapes have given so much to our families. Let's give back.

Thank you,

Hali